The strong Australian dollar in 2009-10 also impacted negatively on exports of live animals and pushed the total number of livestock slaughterings and other disposals down by 1% to $12.7 billion.

Average prices for cattle and calves rose almost 1%, however, the aggregate value of cattle and calf slaughterings and other disposals decreased by 2% to $7.3 billion, mainly driven by a 4% reduction in the numbers slaughtered. The gross value of total poultry disposals fell slightly, down by 4% to $1.8 billion, as production and average prices fell by 2% and 3% respectively.

A sharp reduction in supply of sheep and lambs (down by 17%), accompanied by a large increase in average prices (up by 27%) resulting in a 5% increase in their gross value (up to $2.6 billion). The gross value of pig slaughterings and other disposals rose by 1% to $903 million.